Shaq on Karl-Anthony Towns and the Knicks:
“You know what scares me about the Knicks? I don’t know which KAT imma get. Am I going to get a Tiger or a p*ssy cat?”
Getty
Knicks Karl-Anthony Towns
Karl-Anthony Towns was a major factor in the New York Knicks’ very good season of 2025-26, however, his consistency is still being questioned.
This All-Star player has led the New York team with nearly 20 points and 12 rebounds per game. Recently, Shaquille O’Neal, a former NBA star, verbally attacked Towns and sparked a conversation about his dependability under pressure.
Shaquille O’Neal on Knicks Karl-Anthony Towns
During an episode of The Big Podcast, Shaq didn’t hold back:
“You know what scares me about the Knicks? I don’t know which KAT imma get. Am I going to get a Tiger or a p*ssy cat?”
Shaq on Karl-Anthony Towns and the Knicks:
“You know what scares me about the Knicks? I don’t know which KAT imma get. Am I going to get a Tiger or a p*ssy cat?”
It was a classic Shaq move: funny, straightforward, and shockingly truthful. His comment might have made some people frown, while it also captured a truth underneath: Towns has had moments of making big impacts, but also some outings when he stayed quiet.
Over the course of the season, especially in November and January, Towns played a handful of games in which he was less efficient and aggressive.
Nevertheless, even when his scoring fluctuated a bit, his rebounding and defensive capabilities were still among the main strengths of the Knicks.
GettyKnicks Karl-Anthony Towns
Recently, Towns has definitely addressed those concerns with very calm and good leadership. Indeed, since mid-February, he has been on fire offensively – hitting 20+ point markers in multiple games while at the same time collecting double-digit rebounds.
Moreover, his chemistry with Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby has been instrumental in revitalizing New York’s inside-out strategy, which is giving Mike Brown’s team a real balanced look on both ends of the floor.
Although Shaq’s comments might have been valid at the time, statistics indicate a different scenario now. Towns has emerged as a reliable two-way player, getting rid of his inconsistency tag just when the Knicks are preparing for another deep postseason run.
Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks
The New York Knicks have secured the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference with a 53-29 record, and Towns has been a major contributor in their success.
In the final regular-season stretch, KAT made a dominant statement by scoring 22 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in a commanding 112-95 victory over the Toronto Raptors, a performance that really showed tiger, not house cat.
Since the arrival of new head coach Mike Brown, the Knicks have shifted towards a more balanced rotation, allowing the players to get fresh legs for the playoffs.
Only one real worry exists, however: Towns scored only six points against the Detroit Pistons in one of their three regular-season games, and if the bracket pairs them up in the next games, Shaq’s words will hit hard.
The Pistons, who are the No. 1 seed in the East, have continuously figured out Towns and the Knicks’ habit of turnovers. Towns, who is averaging 21.4 points and 11.6 rebounds per game over 18 playoff games as a Knick, obviously has a high potential.
Shaq’s question is still there, but everything currently indicates that it is the tiger who will show up when it really counts.
Jayesh Pagar Jayesh Pagar is a writer at Heavy Sports, covering the New York Knicks and other NBA teams. He brings four years of experience across digital sports media, including NBA, WNBA, college basketball, and college football. He covered as the Knicks beat writer for ONSI and has written for PFSN, Sporting News, and ClutchPoints. More about Jayesh Pagar
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